A breakdown of NSWA's results for January show that year on year international import containers rose 18.9 per cent to 128,892 TEU; the volume of full international export containers was up 16.7 per cent to 76,339 TEU; empty international containers rose 15.3 per cent to 44,579 TEU; and total domestic containers rose 14.6 per cent to 51,295 TEU.
The NSWA attributed the boost in container volumes to fuller ships from Asia calling ahead of the Chinese New Year, reported American Shipper.
"The Lunar New Year landed on January 28 this year. Traditionally, the factories in China ramp up production leading up to the holiday before they shut down for up to two weeks for the holiday," the NWSA said.
"As a result, ocean carriers reduce the number of sailings to accommodate the slowdown. With China making up 60 per cent of our import volumes, we may see lower cargo volumes in February because fewer ships will reach our gateway.
"Domestic volumes for January performed better than the previous year, with Alaska volumes up more than 19 per cent as a result of three additional sailings in January," the NWSA said.
But "Alaska volumes are expected to decline five to six per cent this year due to soft market conditions," it cautioned.
The NSWA attributed the boost in container volumes to fuller ships from Asia calling ahead of the Chinese New Year, reported American Shipper.
"The Lunar New Year landed on January 28 this year. Traditionally, the factories in China ramp up production leading up to the holiday before they shut down for up to two weeks for the holiday," the NWSA said.
"As a result, ocean carriers reduce the number of sailings to accommodate the slowdown. With China making up 60 per cent of our import volumes, we may see lower cargo volumes in February because fewer ships will reach our gateway.
"Domestic volumes for January performed better than the previous year, with Alaska volumes up more than 19 per cent as a result of three additional sailings in January," the NWSA said.
But "Alaska volumes are expected to decline five to six per cent this year due to soft market conditions," it cautioned.